Ecclesiastical Household of Anna Yaroslavna, Queen of the Franks (1051–1075)

Abstract

Introduction. The court of Anna Yaroslavna, the French queen of the 11th century, has not been specifically studied in historical literature. The author proposes to find out how the ecclesiastical environment of the Queen was formalized and structured in 1051–1075, who of the church persons formed her inner circle, and whether the royal ecclesiastical household had an influence on the formation of the church policy of the crown. Methods. The methodology is a combination of institutional and social history as part of the systemic approach that makes it possible to understand the evolution of the Queen’s household within the curial Capetian system. Analysis. The reviewed sources indicate that Anna Yaroslavnas staying in France and her relationships with the curial clerics were very close. The Royal acts attest to Anna’s high level of involvement in the ecclesiastical affairs of France, her regular support for the church persons of Curia regis, the Chancellor-Bishop and his servants, as well as the state of curial priests. Results. The ecclesiastical entourage of King Henri I and Queen Anna largely shaped the policy of the Capetians and strengthened dynastic authority. As a widow and queen mother, Anna Yaroslavna played in accordance with the policies of Henry I and his predecessors, contributing to the further strengthening of the church presence at the court, and in particular the bishops in Curia regis, as opposed to the feudal clans and influence of the pope. At the same time, all her actions were aimed at the interests of the crown in order to guarantee the safe preservation of the throne for her son Philip I.